Reported by Manoj Kumar Ojha
Doomdooma: Tension prevailed in the Borhapjan area under Doomdooma Police Station in Assam’s Tinsukia district on Sunday after an irate mob set two vehicles ablaze on suspicion of transporting stolen cattle.
The incident occurred at Line No. 12 of Hukanguri Tea Estate, triggering panic among residents of the locality.
According to police sources, incidents of cattle theft had reportedly been occurring frequently in Hukanguri, Hilika and adjoining areas over the past several days, leading to growing resentment among local residents.
On Sunday morning, locals allegedly spotted a Tata Magic goods carrier bearing registration number AS-23-DC-2701 transporting two cows through the tea estate area. A black Alto car bearing registration number AS-01-V-8283 was reportedly escorting the vehicle, raising suspicion among villagers.
When residents attempted to stop the vehicles for verification, the drivers allegedly ignored the signal and sped away. Villagers then chased the vehicles through interior roads inside the tea estate.
With no apparent escape route, the drivers allegedly abandoned both vehicles on a garden road and fled from the spot.
An angry mob subsequently dragged the vehicles to an open area and set the Alto car on fire.
Police personnel from Doomdooma Police Station, accompanied by paramilitary forces, later reached the spot after receiving information about the incident. However, the presence of security personnel reportedly failed to disperse the crowd.
Sources said the mob, in full view of the police, unloaded the two cows from the Tata Magic before setting the vehicle ablaze as well.
Fire tenders later reached the area and brought the flames under control. The partially burnt vehicles were subsequently taken to Doomdooma Police Station.
A tense atmosphere continued to prevail in the tea estate area till the filing of this report. Police have launched an investigation into the incident, though the identities of the vehicle owners were yet to be officially established.